BEGIN REVIEW
OVERALL IMPRESSION
A poem (lyric) about unrequited love and desire . . .
FLOW/RHYTHM
Since it's a lyric, flow isn't really a concern. however, Rhythm is. Lyrics are supposed to be written as if going to be set (or already set) to music. Rhythm of thew lyric is required for proper rhythm of the melody . . . in this, the rhythm is a bit off in places. More bent toward the thought process than performance.
Rather than go through a long diatribe and listing for this one, I do ask you to do something. Print the poem, stand up, walk around a bit, and read the thing out loud to yourself - as if you are performing it for others. I think you will easily find the rough spots. Reading aloud reveals much more than murmering, whispering, or silently reading. trust me - it works wonders . . .
Doing this will develop the rhythm right away - and when you stumble or have trouble keeping the rhythm, you'll know that's a rough spot that needs a bit of attention and some smoothing. (wink)
However, hard rock songs rarely have proper rhythm, sine the music and melody would be easier to bend to the words (which are usually written before or at the same time as the music). if this is the case, then ignore what is above . . .
RHYME
The rhyme is quaint - and enjoyable. the Scheme being a-a-b-b-c-c - always a good choice for a lyric . . .
However, the rhyme does seem "forced" in quite a few spots. Almost as if you had a hard time thinking up a rhyme to the line prior and looked one up. I sometimes do that, too. Even if you didn't do this, the rhyming seems quite forced in places and should be looked at a bit more closely.
For example, the 3rd stanza's "friend" and "rend" - rend means to rip or tear - so the POINT is right on. But, it doesn't seem to work, really. When slashing something or someone, you aren't rending them - you're cutting them. With the image you wish to convey, this doesn't work well at all.
Then there's the 3rd verse (5th stanza) - "world" and "girl" seem more forced than the above example. it;s a slant rhyme, where you don;t have this elsewhere. So, it doesn't fit either.
Things like that . . .
IMAGRY
Imagry is okay; we've all been there, so it's easy to imagine the author's emotions and frustrations
MOOD
Blue, frustrated, a bit despressed - yet hopeful! This one just won't give up!
One suggestion though - may I ASSUME you are a male? If so, it kinda shows. The feelings conveyed are clear enough to IMAGINE (see Imagry above). I suggest you bring up some of these actual emotions and put them down in this pice - make us FEEL it. As is, it almost reads more like a chronicle than a living, breathing lyric that "speaks" to the readers.
remember, in this type of writing, with this type of emotion, you are not looking for sympathy - you want EMPATHY.
SPELLING/GRAMMAR/PUNCTUATION
Grammar and spelling are fine. There are a host of places that need proper punctuation. I won't list them here, however taking my suggestion to read it out loud will reveal these places for the most part. Keep in mind - where you naturally pause, likely a comma is to be used. Where the pause is a bit longer, possibly a semi-colon or dash (depending on where int he line this pause happens). And, where there is an obvious end of a sentence, a period.
THINGS THAT I LIKED/LOVED
I liked the format itself - lyric is one of my favorites. Big music buff, and I started writing this way . . . near to my heart.
The similar ending was also very nie to see. Just like a good story-song - in fact, it almost sounds COUNTRY! (gasp) Or, maybe Folk . . .
SUGGESTIONS
As mentioned above, more emotion needs to be put in this piece. Make US feel it. It does come off as the "hero" being more obsessive, possessive, even dangerous, rather than making me feel his pain and anguish. More like a stalker, to be quite honest.
To increase the rhythm, try counting the syllables on in the lines of the first stanza. Settle on that as a model for the other verses. The choruses are fine as is . . . I only reference the verses here. Anyway, then try to stay as close as possible to the same line by line counts as set by the first verse . . .
A title change my be necessary - a "firefly" usually is something more of a hope, dream, something peaceful - not torn with anguish or any type of negative slant. I know, it;s probably written for a contest - once this one is over, I would seriously suggest a change in title and subject to better match the mood, overall. She's not the "hero's" firefly yet - so perhaps ONE mention of her POSSIBLY becoming this would be enough, with a change for the rest of the piece.
Ignore all typoes above and below - it's late . . .
In the 4th line of the first verse - delete the word "straight" and chamge "screaming" to something closer to "crying" - when in this much pain, it's okay not to be a big, bad, tough man! (grin) Screaming is ore of an angry, possessive response, where crying would fit more to he theme of the poem. Remember, write it as you feel it.
FINAL COMMENTS
I had a VERY hard time resolving the peaceful thought of a firefly with the actual message of the poem itself (as yet unrequited love). I would seriously suggest you consider choosing another word to replace firefly, something that wouldn't distract from the idea itself.
I did, however, really enjoy the lyrical format. The verse, chorus, verse structure was a great breath of fresh air.
TOTAL RATING: (4.0 Stars)
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